UPDATE: Bristol Rovers have ended their 14-match winless streak, marking a thrilling start to 2026 with a dominant 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town at The Croud Meadow. This decisive win comes as Fabrizio Cavegn netted a remarkable hat-trick, securing Steve Evans‘ first win as head coach after four attempts.
The match began slowly, with Rovers struggling to find rhythm in the first half. An early penalty shout was turned down when Cavegn was fouled, as the linesman ruled offside. Just moments later, John Marquis of Shrewsbury almost put his team ahead, hitting the outside of the left post.
Despite dominating possession with 61% of the ball, Rovers were unable to convert their chances in the first half. Near the break, they came close through Kacper Lopata and Jack Sparkes, who missed a free-kick just wide in added time.
As the second half began, Marquis had another chance but was thwarted by Rovers’ keeper Luke Southwood. Shrewsbury pushed forward, but Rovers struck first in the 63rd minute when a defensive error allowed Cavegn to tap in from close range, opening his account for the day.
Cavegn wasn’t finished yet. As Shrewsbury pressed for an equalizer, he doubled Rovers’ lead after Shaq Forde beat the offside trap and set him up brilliantly. The Swiss striker took a touch and fired home, making it 2-0.
With time running out, Cavegn completed his hat-trick in stoppage time, converting a low cross from Joel Senior to cap off a perfect afternoon for Rovers.
This victory not only lifts Rovers above Shrewsbury in the League Two standings but also boosts morale as they aim to climb further. Their next challenge comes against Barrow in just three days, followed by a crucial match against Colchester United after a short break.
Fans are invited to stay updated with the latest Rovers news through the club’s community channels. As excitement builds, Rovers look set to capitalize on this momentum heading into the next fixtures.
